Liberals stalling shift to wheat deregulation: PGA

The Pastoralists and Graziers Association says the federal Liberal Party is stalling the shift towards a fully deregulated wheat industry.

The party was due to debate the issue at its state council meeting in Perth at the weekend.

But, that was suspended after the deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop outlined her plan to introduce two codes of conduct relating to port access and supply chains before full deregulation.

The PGA's John Snooke says a code of conduct governing port access has already been developed by industry.

"What the Liberal Party are doing is causing a stalling effect of that code of conduct; they are having no input into it, and it's sending mixed messages to the industry which has been working maturely behind the scene to full deregulation," he said.

"Julie Bishop and the Liberal Party have had no input into the codes of conduct whatsoever.

"Julie Bishop is claiming they are consulting with industry; not one Liberal Party member from WA contacted any industry participant on wheat marketing matters."

Ms Bishop says the debate will be revisited once the codes have been drafted.

"We support deregulation of the wheat industry, we voted for the abolition of the single desk," she said.

"We now want to transition to a point where there can be total self regulation but we are being urged by some constituents to put in place these two codes before moving to self regulation," she said.

"What we propose to do is put in place these two codes, get industry wide co-operation through consultation and then move to full deregulation.

"We think that these two codes will be the cornerstone of a deregulated environment and that will be in the interests of all industry growers across the country."

"The authority in the first place was just a transition measure from a regulated to a deregulated system and that change has happened and we do not see value for money for growers anymore with the costs involved," he said.

"It is not just the cost to growers directly, there is a cost to exporters and of course, that is generally reflected in the prices we get for our grain."

Mr Simpson also said although Western Australian grain growers want deregulation as soon as possible, he understands the Liberal Party is getting mixed messages from other states.

"Most of the bodies that represent growers in the other states are of a different opinion to what we are," he said.

"So, the politicians are getting a very mixed message from growers across Australia which makes it very hard for them of course to take a very firm position."